Nostril-dilator.



W. F. SAWYER.

NOSTRIL DILATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4. 1918.

1,292,083. Patented Jan. 21,1919.

WILLIAM F. SAWYER, 0F RACINE, WISCONSIN.

NOSTRIL-IDILATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application filed February 4, 1918. Serial No. 215,244.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. SAWYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nostril-Dilators, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient device for the relief of those afliicted with nasal diseases, and partieularly hay fever. One of the conditions caused by hay fever is that the posterior nose structure becomes swollen to such an extent that the ducts communicating with the nostrils become so diminished that breathing through the nose is practically impossible, and great difficulty is experienced in expelling the secretions which flow therefrom. In order to obtain temporary relief, it is a common practice for such sufferers to pull the nostrils downwardly and outwardly with the fingers and hold them in distended position, which has the effect of opening the posterior ducts, thus permitting breathing and the discharge of secretions. Such treatment is resorted to especially after retiring, but must be repeated frequently during the night with consequent loss of sleep. By my present invention 1 am enabled to mechanically maintain the nostrils in dilated condition for an appreciable length of time, for example, during the hours of sleeping, without inconvenience to the user, whereby the patient is afforded rest and relief from suffering and at the same time is materially benefited, as the application of the device has a curative effect upon the affected parts when maintained in the condition described, all as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, Figure 1 is a view showing the application of my improved dilator; Fig. 2 indicates, on an enlarged scale, my improved dilator in assembled condition; Figs. 3 and 4 are plan and edge views, respectively, of a form of adhesive pad which I may employ; Fig. 5, a plan of the pad holder; Fig. 6 shows a modified form of my improvement, and Fig. 7 an edge view of a modified form of the adhesive pad.

In the preferred form of my invention I provide pads or strips, 5, of adhesive material, cut in circular or other appropriate form, to each of which strips is secured a suitable fastening device, such as a loop, 6, of wire or other material. These pads or strips 5 are applied to the exterior surface thereof above the nostrils, substantially as indicated in Fig. 1, and are composed of material which when aflixed will remain in position until removed. The application of my device is preferably made upon retiring, and, when the pads or strips are afiixed, a dilating member, 7, is connected with each of the loops 6 or other fastening devices. Said member 7 preferably consists of a wire or other suitable spring material shaped to conform to the contour of the nose, the spring force of which is directed outwardly or upwardly, and when the hooked ends, 8, thereof are engaged with the loops 6, the spring force of the member 7 exerts a gentle constant pull upon the pads 5 which distend the nostril structure at each side of the nose, in turn causing the posterior ducts connecting with the nostrils to become opened and to be maintained in open condition. By providing the spring member 7 with hooked or bent ends 8 it is but a simple matter to grasp the same between the fingers and spring its ends inwardly so that they will readily register with the loops 6, and, upon releasing the same, the ends will pass through and become engaged with such loops in a secure manner to insure that said member 7 will retain its position. It will be understood, of course, that the inherent spring force of member 7 may be increased or decreased by bending in a longer or shorter curve or otherwise as may be desired so that it may be readily tensioned for adjustment between the pads. In this manner, which I have demonstrated by actual experience, the nostrils will be brought into dilated condition without appreciable strain, and, be so maintained constantly without discomfort to the user, and at the same time will not interfere with the use of a handkerchief, thus permitting unobstructed breathing through the nose and the discharge and cleansing of secretions, both of which conditions prevail with the resultant loss of sleep and distress to the patient. My improvement will also be found serviceable in examinations or performing operations, as for example, when applied to the nose, the nostril may be held distended for the insertion of instruments, and the use of obstructing speculums or other insertible devices is unnecessary.

I have described the dilating member 7 with hook-like ends as of the form shown in Fig. 2, but it will be understood that I may vary the formation of such member by providing a plurality of bent or hook portions as indicated in Fig. 5, so that it will be of an adjustable character and may thus be adapted for noses of varying sizes by engaging the loops 6 with the ends of the member in the bends or catches most suitable. When it is desired to remove my dilating improvement it is but necessary to disengage the connecting member 7 when the adhesive pads may be treated with any suitable solvent and readily withdrawn.

While I have specifically described my preferred forms of adhesive pads and dilating member, it will be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to such, as various modifications in the composition of such strips may be employed, such for eX- ample as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, which illustrate a pad comprising a base, 9, of paper or fabric upon which the adhesive body 5 may be mounted, so that the entire adhesive surface of said body 5'may not come in contact with the skin, but just sufficient thereof to maintain the same in position, by which such pad, having a less adhesive area, may be more readily removed; and at the same time the said central disk has the effect of so distributing the pull of the spring member as not to cause the premature loosening of the pad; while in Fig. 7 pad 5 is provided with a stud-like loop 6 the base 9 of which serves the purpose of the paper base 9 shown in Fig. 4. And it will also be understood that I may employ other afiixing devices, as for example the suction cups, 10, indicated in Fig. 6, which may be connected by a suitable dilating member, as 7, to produce the same result as that specifically described in relation to the pads 5 and member 7.

I am aware that it has been proposed to provide means for insertion into the nostrils of devices for dilating the same, but to the best of my knowledge they. are objectionable and impracticable, forthe reason that if of suiiicient spring force to be retained between the septum and the inner wall of the nostril, the pressure therefrom is so severe as to cause pain or annoying irritation of the sensitive nerves lining the air passage of the nose and must be discarded after limited use, while if not of sufficient spring force to be thus maintained they become displaced. I therefore do not claim a device for insertion into the nostrils, but a device to be applied externally to the nose substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein specified, and what I do claim is:

1. A nostril dilator comprising adhesive members adapted to be affixed to the external surface of the nostrils, and means engaging said members for exerting a pull thereon whereby the nostrils are maintained in dilated condition.

2. A nostril dilator comprising adhesive members adapted to be affixed to the external surface of the nostrils,-fastening.means secured to said members, and means embodying spring force engaging said fastening means for exerting a pulling elfect upon said adhesive members to maintain the nostrils in dilated condition.

3. In a nostril dilator, means adapted to.

adhere to the external surface of the nose,

and means engaging said adhering means.

and exerting'a pulling force thereon for maintaining the nostrils in a dilated'condition.

4. In a nostril dilator, means adapted to adhere to the external surface of the nose,

fastening means associated therewith, and

a spring member lmvinghooked ends for engagementwith said fastening means for imparting a pulling effect upon said adher ing means to maintain the nostrils indi lated condition. 37 a p 5. In a nostril dilator, an adhesive pad, a catch associated With said pad, and a spring member having means at its end for "engage. ment with said catch to exert an outward pull on said pad. V

6. In a nostril dilator, adhesive pads adapted to be affixed to the external surface of the nose, a looped catch secured to said pads, and a spring member the ends where of are detachably secured to said catches whereby said member may be engaged therewith to exert an outward force upon said pads andbe disengaged therefrom.

In-testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

7 WILLIAM F. SAWYER.

lVitnesses C. M. DOUNSON, E. M. JoHNsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of.Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

